coroner issues detailed autopsy on wally

Advocate staff report
HARVEY -- The Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office released a more detailed autopsy report on Thursday that said a combination of three heart problems likely contributed to the death of 21-year-old LSU baseball star Wally Pontiff.
According to the report, Pontiff had a narrowing of small arteries inside the heart, a small amount of inflammation in the heart and a "floppy" heart valve.

All of those factors may have contributed to the irregular heart beat that caused Pontiff's death, the coroner's news release said.

An earlier coroner's report released last month said Pontiff died of natural causes but was not specific about his heart abnormalities. Complete toxicology studies released last month showed that Pontiff had no illegal, prescription or over-the-counter drugs in his system.

Pontiff was found dead July 24 in his bed at his parent's home in Metairie.

A third baseman who was heading into his senior year at LSU, Pontiff had been picked in the 21st round of this year's draft by the Oakland Athletics. He had not announced whether he would return to LSU for his senior year.